Wind operated sign



May 7, 1963 E- .1. KIES wmn OPERATED srcn WIDII\IIID/IENTOR. ELLiott J. Kzles 662m, Mfivh-k MM Filed March 50, 1961 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,088,235 WIND OPERATED SIGN Elliott J. Kies, Massiilon, Ohio, assignor to The Massilion- Cleveland-Akron Sign Company, Massillon, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 99,515 2. Claims. (Cl. 4037) This invention relates to a motion display sign. More particularly, it pertains to a wind vane or sign operated by win A moving advertisement or display is preferred over the stationary .type whenever possible because of the greater attention it attracts. Many prior signs for outdoor use have been dependent upon natural air currents for their movement because of their desirable independence of power actuating means such as electric motors. For outdoor advertising a wind operated sign is desirable if its size and weight are maintained within desirable limits. Past signs have been too cumbersome and heavy to be readily movable by average wind conditions. Moreover, the cost of such signs has been too high to justify their use.

The users of wind actuated signs include operators of supermarkets, used car lots, and automobile service stations where a tall pole or standard is normally installed for supporting a stationary sign or light at the upper end thereof. Even though the upper end of such a pole is the most desirable location for the mounting of a motion advertising display device because a 360 angle of rotation is possible, the mounting on top of such a pole is often too costly to justify its installation. The lower portion of the pole has therefore been found useful for additional advertising purposes of a temporary or permanent nature. Prior motion display signs have been proposed for mounting on the lower portion of poles but have been unsatisfactory because of either the limited angle of rotation or problems inherent in construction which required complicated installation and maintenance procedures.

It has been found that prevailing winds in most localities do not blow through 360 but only through approximately 270, such as through the greater are between southeast and northeast, leaving a quarter of a circle out. Accordingly, a wind operated sign may be mounted on an intermediate portion of a pole or standard in such a manner that the pole is disposed where it will least interfere with rotations of the sign.

Another problem with wind operated signs in the past has been an unusually short life of such signs due to their excessive bumping into the pole on which they are mounted. It has been found that if the sign turning axis is located approximately one-fifth of the length of the sign from the pole, the sign has a maximum free rotation around the pole without excessive bumping. The reason is that although the greater portion of the sign on one side of the axis is acted upon by the wind in turning it, the portion on the other side serves as a damper against excessive bumping.

Still another problem with prior wind activated signs was that of changing displays at frequent intervals. A- though wind operated signs are desirable for outdoor use and are frequently unattended for prolonged periods of time, they serve best where the advertising display is changed frequently. The sign construction of the instant invention provides a readily mounted and dismounted sign frame which is conducive to easily manipulated means for replacement of an advertising display. The fact that the sign is constructed with a minimum number of parts and with a minimum weight makes for easy handling when mounting and dismounting on the pole. At the same time, the minimum weight of the sign makes it 3,h38,235 Patented May 7,, 1963 ice readily rotatable so as to present the sign end surface rather than the side surface, which fact creates a negligible stress on the pole and sign.

Finally, an outstanding advantage of the device of the instant invention is that it can be mounted on the side of a pole without disturbing existing equipment. Too many prior wind operated signs have not included this advantage, for which reason they have not been readily accepted.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a wind operated sign which may be mounted on the intermediate or side portion of an upright standard without disturbing existing equipment.

It is another object of this invention to provide a Wind operated sign which may be adapted to rotate through up to 336 with the pole disposed where it interferes least with rotation of the sign.

It is another object of this invention to provide a wind actuated sign in which the axis of rotation is located at a distance equal to approximately one-fifth of the length of the sign from the pole to provide maximum free rotation around the pole with a minimum bumping.

It is another object of this invention .to provide a wind operated sign which is readily mounted and dismounted and which is conducive to easy changing of advertising displays.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide a wind operated sign which has a minimum number of parts which may be knocked down to a minimum bulk for easy shipment and which may be assembled, mounted, and maintained with a minimum of effort.

These and other objects and advantages, apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and claims, may be obtained, the stated results achieved, and the described difiiculties overcome, by the apparatus, constructions, arrangements, combinations, subcombinations, elements, parts, and principles, which comprise the present invention, the nature of which is set forth in the foregoing general statements, the preferred embodirnent of which, illustrative of the best modes in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and shown in the drawings, and which are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims forming part hereof.

The nature of the improvements of the present invention may be described in general terms as constituting a wind actuated sign for mounting on the side of an upright standard, including a rigid frame, sign display means disposed on and supported by the frame, means for mounting the frame on a standard including a U-shaped bracket having upper and lower arms, the rigid frame having a pivot post extending from opposite sides thereof and each post being vertically aligned with the other, the posts being journally mounted in opposite corresponding arms of the bracket, the sign display means having opposite sides on the frame and being detachably mounted in place on the frame, and the aligned pivot pins being preferably located at approximately one-fifth of the length of the sign from the pole, whereby the greater portion of the sign on one side of the aligned posts is actuated by the wind and the other portion serves as a damper for preventing the sign from turning at excessive speeds.

By way of example, embodiment of the wind actuated sign construction of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a wind operated sign mounted on the intermediate portion of an upright standard;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sign of FIG. 1 and showing the limits of rotation of the sign in broken lines; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing an intermediate stage in the mounting or dismounting of the pivot posts and showing some of the parts in exploded view for illustrating their manner of assembly.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In FIG. 1 a sign is generally indicated at 1 and is mounted on an upright standard or pole 2 by means of a channel bracket 3 having a U-shape and which is attached to the pole by at least two spaced metal bands or straps 4. Hire bracket 3 includes upper and lower arms 5 and 6 which extend outwardly from a body portion adjacent the pole. The upper arm 5 is apertured to receive a bearing 7 and the lower arm 6 is apertured to receive a bearing 8, which bearings are preferably composed of nylon or similar material.

The sign 1 includes a frame 9 and a sign display means 10 disposed on and supported by the frame. Although the frame 9 may be of any geometric configuration, it is preferably rectangular in shape and includes an upper side member 11, a lower side member 12, as well as outer and inner end members 13 and 14. The side members 11 and 12 and the end members 13 and 14 are rigidly secured together. As shown in FIG. 1, the side members 11 and 12 are preferably composed of elongated rods having similar out-turned end portions 15 and 16, respectively, which are seated into end portions of the outer and inner end members 13 and 14 that are preferably tubular members. As shown in FIG. 3, the outturned end portions 15 and '16 of the members 11 and 12 are provided with apertures 17 and 18, respectively, by which the joined parts are secured together, preferably by an elongated element such as a cotter pin 19.

The upper side member 11 is provided with an upright pivot post or trunnion 20' which is rigidly secured thereto such as by a weld 21. The post 20 is seated in and extends through the bearing 7 and its upper end may be threaded at 22 for the attachment of a nut 23. Likewise, the lower side member 12 is provided with a downturned pivot post or trunnion 24 which may be similarly welded in place and which is seated in the bearing 8 on the lower arm 6 where it may be retained in place by a nut 25 attached to the lower threaded portion 26 of the post 24. In order to insert and remove the sign 1 from the bracket 3, the vertical spacing between the upper and lower arms 5 and 6 is substantially greater than the width of the Sign 1 so that the upper post 20 may be first inserted into the bearing 7 (FIG. 3) and the entire sign raised until the lower end of the lower post 24 is in alignment with the lower bearing 8, whereupon the sign is lowered and the post enters the bearing.

Such a method of assembly and disassembly requires that the upper post 20 be substantially longer than the lower post 24 so that when the latter is completely seated in the bearing 8, the upper post 2!} is long enough to extend not only through the spacing between the sign and the upper arm but also through the corresponding bearing 7.

The sign display means 10 in FIG. 1 is preferably composed of a pliable material such as a fabric of woven cloth or sheetlike material such as plastic which is formed in the shape of an envelope or sock having two opposite sides 27 and 28. The sides 27 and 28 are secured together along the two edges and one end, such as by stitching 29, to provide an envelope having one open end adjacent the inner end member 14. The enveloped means 10 is disposed over and around the frame 9 where it is held tautly in place between the frame members 11-14. The outer surfaces of each side 27 and 28 are provided with advertising copy, such as Truck Tires, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the inner end of the sign means 10 is open and abutting end portions of the sides 27 and 28 are provided with hem portions 30 and 31, respectively, and provided with a plurality of spaced aligned grommets 32 by which the adjacent hem portions are secured together by fastening means such as metal fasteners 33 having enlarged heads at one end and having a pair of washers 34 secured thereon on the outer sides of the grommets 32. Inasmuch as the sign means :10 is composed of sheets of woven fabric or plastic, it is useful for only a relatively short period of time com pared to the other parts of the sign such as the frame 9 and bracket 3 which are composed of metal. For that reason the sign means 10 is preferably frequently replaced by sign means having new advertising copy.

Replacement of the sign 10 is accomplished by dismantling the frame from the bracket 3 in a manner described above. Thereafter the metal fasteners 33 may be removed from the grommets 32 in order to open the. end of the envelope sign means 10. The cotter pins 19 are removed to separate the end portions 15 and 16 from the ends of the member 14, whereupon the loose ends of the side members 11 and 12 are moved together in order to remove the pivot posts 20 and 24 from corresponding openings 34 and 35 in the stitching along the opposite edges of the sign means 10. Thereafter the sign means.

10 may be removed from the frame and another sign means having difierent advertising matter may be placed on the frame which is then reassembled and mounted on the bracket 3.

As shown in FIG. -1, the aligned pivot posts 20 and 24 provide a vertical axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of the standard 2 about which the sign :1 rotates. The sign 1 serves as a vane in air currents as the wind contacts the opposite sides 27 and 28. For that purpose it is preferred that the axis of rotation through the posts 20 and 24 be located at approximatelyone-fifth of the length of the sign from the pole 2 so that when the wind strikes the predominant portion of the sign on the side of the posts 20 and 24 remote from the pole 2, the smaller portion of the sign between the axis of rotation and the pole serves as a dampening means for preventing the sign from swinging at great speeds and banging against one side or the other of the pole. As shown in FIG. 1, a washer 36 is provided between the lower side member 12 and the bearing 8 to minimize friction between those parts.

As indicated above, the sign 1 includes a frame and a sign display means. Generally, the frame includes a pair of elongated tubes and a pair of elongated rods having end portions bent for insertion into the ends of the rods. The sign display means includes the envelope 10 as shown in FIG. 1. In some localities where wind, storms are frequent it is desirable to provide the mesh or screen reinforcement within the envelope 10 to reinforce the latter and to prevent the envelope from becoming unduly stretched. Accordingly, the envelope and mesh may be used singly or in combination.

The foregoing sign construction provides an advertising display which is desired by many business people be cause it moves in response to variations in the direction ofthe wind. At the same time the sign may be of sufiicent size to attract attention on very tall poles because, due to the light weight of the frame, the entire assembly is readily rotatable in nylon bearings. Such a sign may have a size up to 3 X 5' with the longer dimension being horizontal in order to provide a more readible advertising message. However, any other geometrical de sign may be provided.

Under normal wind conditions the sign 1 may rotate preferably through an angle of 336 (FIG. 2), depending upon the diameter of the pole 2. For that purpose the aXis of rotation through the pivot posts 20 and 24 is disposed on the side of the pole 2 opposite the direction from which the wind in the particular location is least directed. The direction of prevailing winds varies over approximately 320 through the sign 1 will normally rotate.

By providing side and end members which are separately attached to each other, the entire sign 1, including the bracket 3, the frame 9, the sign display means 19 may be shipped in a relatively small container. Thereafter, when replacements for the sign display means are necessary, only that portion of the sign may be shipped from the manufacturer to the user.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations have been implied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein is by way of example and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation and use of preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful Wind operated sign and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1,. In a wind operated sign for mounting on the side of an upright standard, wherein a pair of spaced upper and lower arms extend outwardly from the standard, and wherein each arm includes a pivot post-receiving opening, the improvement including a rectangular rigid frame having spaced end and edge members, a pliable envelope encasing the frame and having opposite sides, the envelope having two edge and one end portions secured together and having another end portion open for insertion and removal of the frame, means for detachably se curing the opposite sides of the open end together for holding the envelope on the frame, one of the pair of edge and end portions of the frame being composed of several parts including a tubular member adapted to receive an outturned end of the other portions, means for detachably holding the tubular member and ontturned end rigidly together in a rigid frame position, a pivot post extending from one edge and being vertically aligned with the post on the other edge, the pivot posts being rotatably seated in aligned openings in the spaced arms, whereby the enclosing envelope on the frame serves as a wind vane for rotating the sign about an axis extending through the pivot post.

2. The wind operated construction of claim 1 in which the edges of the frame are composed of elongated rods having end portions turned at right angles to the rods, in which the opposite ends of the frame are composed of tubular members in which the end portions of the rods are detachably seated, and in which the encasing envelope is provided with post-receiving apertures at opposite edges, whereby the frame may be collapsed for insertion and removal of the frame from the envelope.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 223,493 Evans Jan. 13, 1880 1,253,847 Lynch Jan. 15, 1918 1,342,538 Gibson June 8, 1920 1,945,789 Revis Feb. 6, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 245,508 Great Britain Jan. 8, 1926 

1. IN A WIND OPERATED SIGN FOR MOUNTING ON THE SIDE OF AN UPRIGHT STANDARD, WHEREIN A PAIR OF SPACED UPPER AND LOWER ARMS EXTEND OUTWARDLY FROM THE STANDARD, AND WHEREIN EACH ARM INCLUDES A PIVOT POST-RECEIVING OPENING THE IMPROVEMENT INCLUDING A RECTANGULAR RIGID FRAME HAVING SPACED END AND EDGE MEMBERS, A PLIABLE ENVELOPE ENCASING THE FRAME AND HAVING OPPOSITE SIDES, THE ENVELOPE HAVING TWO EDGE AND ONE END PORTIONS SECURED TOGETHER AND HAVING ANOTHER END PORTION OPEN INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF THE FRAME, MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE OPEN END TOGETHER FOR HOLDING THE ENVELOPE ON THE FRAME, ONE OF THE PAIR OF EDGE AND END PORTIONS OF THE FRAME BEING COMPOSED OF SEVERAL PARTS INCLUDING A TUBULAR MEMBER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN OUTTURNED END OF THE OTHER PORTIONS, MEANS FOR DETACHABLY HOLDING THE TUBULAR MEMNBER AND OUTTURNED END RIGIDLY TOGETHER IN A RIGID FRAME POSITION, A PIVOT POST EXTENDING FROM ONE EDGE AND BEING VERTICALLY ALIGNED WITH THE POST ON THE OTHER EDGE, THE PIVOT POSTS BEING ROTATABLY SEATED IN ALIGNED OPENINGS IN THE SPACED ARMS, WHEREBY THE ENCLOSING ENVELOPE ON THE FRAME SERVES AS A WIND VANE FOR ROTATING THE SIGN ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING THROUGH THE PIVOT POST. 